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Human activities long ago changed the interactions between predators and prey in the African savanna. Find out if we can now help restore balance through creative livestock management.

Lions have begun to return to the Kenyan savanna after decades of human persecution. But they could become victims of their own success: their return seems linked to declines in rare large herbivores, including many iconic antelope species that tourists in Kenya want to see. So landowners who depend on tourism are considering lethal methods to manage predators once again.

But what if both predators and their fragile prey could thrive? Lions most commonly eat zebras, which have a robust population in the area. And zebras seem to prefer areas where cattle have grazed. By carefully managing the relationships between these species, researchers think it’s possible to influence where the lions seek their meals.

Contribute to this innovative look at how cattle ranching could transform African landscapes. You’ll live and work in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to six prides of lions. Using radio collars on some of the lions, you’ll track their movements. You’ll also check camera trap images for spotted hyenas, leopards, and other predators. And you’ll survey zebras and other herbivores like hartebeest and eland to learn how their populations shift with cattle ranching. Take this rare opportunity to witness how interconnected all species really are.

Lead scientists

Accommodation and food

Why the research is important

Why the research is important

Unlike many conservation efforts, this project is seeking a solution that embraces, rather than excludes, livestock production.

Herbivores like cattle, zebras, and species with more fragile populations help maintain a mix of trees and grasses on the savanna.

Large herbivores maintain savanna ecosystems by allowing both trees and grasses to thrive. Previous observations suggest that zebras have a fondness for areas where cattle have grazed. But can cattle actually attract zebras? The data you collect on herbivore abundance can help answer this question.

Researchers also already know that zebras are the most common lion meal. So the next question is: do lions and other predators that eat zebras hunt where these striped ungulates are most abundant, or where prey of all kinds is easiest to catch? If it’s the former, as these researchers suspect, lions should follow the zebras to those greener cattle pastures.

Lions at rest in Ol Pejeta

If the first two hypotheses turn out to be true—that zebras will follow cows and predators will follow zebras—one big question still remains. Will moving cattle strategically to attract zebras actually help the rarer herbivores survive? This could be possible: the declining species tend to congregate in smaller, more sedentary herds than zebras, which makes them easier to catch than zebras if they’re in all in the same area.

You can provide the observational power to discover how this experiment will actually unfold. Help be part of a strategy that could strengthen predators, prey, and the people of Kenya who depend on tourism and livestock.

About the research area

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya, Africa

Ol Pejeta Conservancy was created in 1989 as a sanctuary for black rhinos relocated from other sites in Kenya. Now, around 80 black rhinos live there—one of the largest populations in the country. The Laikipia Plateau, where the conservancy sits, is mostly used for cattle and sheep ranching. The plateau’s landscape is a mosaic of grassland, woodland, and rivers. Expect an abundance of wildlife at Ol Pejeta. In addition to lions, zebras, hyenas, and rhinos, the conservancy is home to giraffes, gazelles, waterbucks, cheetahs, vervet monkeys, and a wealth of bird species.

Ol Pejeta is next to Nanyuki, the capital of Laikipia County, a town of about 30,000 people with shops and hotels frequented by climbers on their way to the snow-capped Mount Kenya. The Laikipia District itself is a traveler’s paradise, boasting many opportunities for safaris, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and bird-watching.

You’ll spend your days in the midst of the wildlife-rich conservancy, helping researchers to:

Follow zebras, cattle, and other herbivores. While hiking the conservancy, you will record the location of zebra and other hers and the abundance of these animals—data that will be later compared to the movement and sightings of lions and other large carnivores. You will also note the presence or absence of calves and other young animals, because predators tend to single out them out.

Track lions. The six prides of lions that inhabit the conservancy have all been radio-collared so you and the researchers can track their movements. This data will be compared to the herbivore observation data to see which prey species these cats are following.

Camera-trap hyenas and leopards. You'll help check camera traps around the conservancy and, later, sort through the images taken to identify individual animals by their unique patterns of stripes or spots.

During most research days, you'll walk about two-and-a-half miles around the conservancy. On some afternoons, the team will spend some time in Ol Pejeta’s research center, entering data from your wildlife-tracking work and sorting images. On many evenings you’ll have free hours to learn more about the research, socialize, read, or simply relax and enjoy the sounds of the wild at night.

You’re likely to get the special opportunity to work with some of the people of Laikipia—the researchers prioritize hiring locals, especially women, as field scouts. They also partner with schools in the area to expose students to conservation work and careers in science.

Note: Field conditions and research needs can lead to changes in the itinerary and activities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

ABOUT Jacob Goheen

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

Single and couples rooms available

Excellent Kenyan coffee

Fresh, local fruits and veggies

Stay in the midst of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a savanna ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Volunteers will share bandas—traditional round stone huts with thatched roofs—or stay in rooms in the larger Ol Pejeta Lodge. All rooms and bandas have comfortable beds, wardrobes, and tables. Laundry service is available.

Skilled cooks on the research center staff will prepare your meals, which will usually be buffet style with the exception of the packed lunches you’ll take into the field. Expect to enjoy a variety of hearty meat, fish, chicken, and vegetarian meals.

“Lion's prey controlled! Can it be done?”

Having done a few more Earthwatch projects I knew what to expect. More or less. I expected close relations with the on-site researchers and close encounters with the local wild life. And it didn't disappoint. Everyday delivers another highlight. Be it bouncing and crashing through the acacia woodland getting a massive scare by that growling lion mom hiding a few cubs, or having a fun party with the research crew and support staff. Sometimes you take it for granted that feel comfortable with good food, warm water and a nice bed. But of course it takes good people and good management to make it possible. Realizing this definately adds to being happy in a lazy chair suddenly being visited by a brave bushbuck at the campsite. Goosebumps moment. Again.

And about managing lions to pick zebras for their favorite food so wildebeest will prosper . . . , well, it all depends on prey abundancy. Or was it favorable terrain? All I can say is Ol Pejeta lions do well as it is. Were I lion I would just make sure I do get my daily 20 hours sleep!

After all experiences the project definately got me following further developments.

For a visual review do visit my flickr.com album on the project:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22395536@N00/sets/72157647557197180/

Have a good time!

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Kim Parfitt|Sunday, July 20, 2014

“Like No Other Experience”

What a joy to combine smart and deliberate conservation with unparalleled wildlife viewing in this expedition to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Everyday we had close encounters with the African animals of our childhood dreams. Our work was supporting innovative and solution oriented strategies that honored the human communities of Kenya as well as the biodiversity. Science for solutions...now it doesn't get much better than that.